“LOIS DEAREST, I have bad news for you, but you will bear it bravely and help the mothers. Our two dear lads are gone. They were doing their duty nobly and their end was quick and I believe painless,--a grand death for any man to die. They were trenching at the front on Tuesday night with the rest. The Germans located them in the dark by star-shells and directed a heavy fire on them. I was sent to order them to withdraw as the enemy had crept up on the flank with machine-guns. I met bearer-parties coming in and they said casualties were pretty heavy. One stretcher I passed as I returned had two bodies on it, and one of the bearers explained that they found them locked together like that. ‘This one had been trying to carry the other, I reckon,’ he said, and I flicked my torch on them and found to my great grief that it was Noel and Gregor. Gregor had been shot dead and Noel had evidently been trying to get him to the rear. “We may not mourn overmuch. It is hard to lose the boys but it was a grand death to die. Gregor died for his country. Noel died for his friend as well. Break it to the mothers. It will be a sad task, but tell them how bravely the boys did their part. They were always cheerful and happy--anxious only to get to the real work for which they had prepared themselves so well. I am very well and fit and have not had a scratch so far. God be thanked, for both our sakes!...” * * * * * Break it to the mothers! What a task for any girl! She fell on her knees by the bed and buried her streaming face in her hands, and prayed for help for them all and especially for the mothers. Her own mother, she knew, would bear it bravely. She had many left. But poor Mrs MacLean!--her only one!--her all! And she ageing and frail. And Honor! Oh, Death cut wide swathes in these times. It would be very sad for Honor. She would get over it in time, no doubt. She was young. But now it would darken her life and leave a terrible blank in it. And Vic! She was not quite sure if there had been anything between Vic and Noel. She had imagined the possibility at times. Oh, Death was cruel, and War was hateful and horrible. These dear boys, with no ill-feeling for anyone--done to their deaths by the evil machinations of the war-makers! In the depth of her sorrow her anger burned. She prayed God vehemently to requite it in full to those who had brought all these horrors on the world for their own evil ends. But nothing would bring back their boys. And upon her lay the dreadful task of breaking the news to the rest. She prayed now for strength and guidance, and they were given to her. She got up and bathed her face and eyes, and went downstairs. Vic met her expectantly. “Any news, Lo?... Why--what is it?” at sight of her eyes, which swam in spite of herself.